Spondylolisthesis. It is one of those big
spinal condition words that demands some
practice to articulate, and one of those spinal conditions that
chiropractic can capably assist in diagnosing,
managing, treating, and referring as necessary for other care. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic knows that the
gentler the treatment, the better the outcome; the more stable the spondylolisthesis,
the more receptive to conservative care. Some of the more
recent studies on this spinal condition offer hope for pain
relief to those in McHenry with spondylolisthesis.
WHAT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS IS
A spinal condition that occurs when one
vertebral body (one of the spinal bones) slips forward or backward
on the vertebral body next to it resulting
in back and/or leg pain,
spondylolisthesis isn’t all that uncommon.
Approximately 20% of the adult population has
it. Low back pain is its companion. Degenerative
spondylolisthesis is most often seen at the L4/5 lumbar spine
level in adulthood. Non-degenerative spondylolisthesis typically affects the L5/S1 level. (1) Researchers evaluated
the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis and its associated
slippage by looking through published studies. They uncovered
that over 4 to 25 years, 12% to 20% acquired
degenerative spondylolisthesis while 12%-34% of existing degenerative spondylolisthesis
progressed. It’s valuable to note that 2/3 of spondylolisthesis
patients’ slips did not progress. (2) Non-progressing is good! Even
degenerative is good as it often responds to care. Your McHenry chiropractor is ready to help
with McHenry spondylolisthesis!
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
In our McHenry chiropractic clinic, spondylolisthesis
is treated with the conservative, non-surgical Cox® Technic
System. Published studies, case reports, and clinical data have shown
treatment outcomes. In a case study of a patient with both an
extruded L4/5 disc herniation and a spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at L5/S1,
pain was documented to decrease from a 9 to 1 on a
10 point scale in only 9 visits over 4 weeks of care. At 10 years
follow up, the patient stayed stable. (3) In another case report
of a US Marine Veteran, the patient noted a 25% reduction
in pain and 22% decrease in disability with 10 visits in 2
months leading the researchers to conclude that this care may well be a safe
and effective approach. (4) Then, in the 1000 cases study with data from
31 different chiropractic clinics, L4/5 spondylolisthesis took
more visits and time than L5/S1 spondylolisthesis to attain
maximal clinical improvement. The mean number of days to maximal improvement
was 29 days and 12 visits regardless of the condition. Overall,
95% of spondylolisthesis patients had maximal clinical improvement
in fewer than 90 days. The gentler the treatment the more
beneficial with spondylolisthesis. (5) Bracing spondylolisthesis (and
other chronic spinal conditions like spondylosis and degenerated disc)
is a common component of the non-surgical, conservative treatment
plan to enhance function and lessen pain. (6)
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic will share the complete treatment plan – nutrition, exercise,
bracing, treatment - with you.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates treatment of
degenerative spondylolisthesis utilizing The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
Whether you can say spondylolisthesis or
not, be sure to make your McHenry chiropractic
appointment now get relief!